Loyola students have been pushing for the university and President Cole’s protection on campus as immigration enforcement inclines nationwide. Students fear the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could potentially enter the campus at any moment. The university has created a task force in response. 

In a statement on the behalf of Cole, the university established the task force in February. The immigration task force is composed of university leaders and administration to gather legal guidance and they have met weekly since. The task force was said to “review orders and internal guidelines, collect resources, outline strategies, and gather legal guidance to identify potential impacts and next steps.” 

The Task Force is not, however, composed of any student involvement or consultation other than the campus-wide email release. The statement said the university has partnered with other Jesuit institutions and higher Jesuit education as navigation continues.

In the March 20 email from Cole, “Important Safety Update on the Rights and Safety of Our Campus Community,” he advised the community that if a law enforcement agency were to approach a student to notify Loyola University Police Department and wait for an officer to arrive. 

In addition, Cole said the university adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which prohibits the release of students’ records to law enforcement without a valid court order or subpoena.

A number of legal and campus resources were suggested in the email for student’s to reach out to. Campus resources included the Loyola’s Law Clinic, Center for Social Justice, and the University Counseling Center. Local resources, Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy, Puentes New Orleans, and Familias Unidas en Acción were listed as well. And national agencies such as the National Immigration Law Center, Informa Immigrant, and United We Dream were listed.

Vice President of Marketing & Communications Aariel Charbonnet responded that Loyola is dedicated to being there for their community 

“As a University, we want to reassure the entire Loyola community that we are firmly devoted to the wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff, and to the legal protections upholding their rights,” Charbonnet said.

Further findings from the task force have not been disclosed. Charbonnet said all information regarding the task force has been included in Dr. Cole’s emails to the campus community.